Israel irked as UNESCO lists Palestinian ruins as World Heritage Site

The United Nations World Heritage Committee voted on Sunday to declare the Tell es-Sultan archaeological site in Jericho a “World Heritage Site in Palestine.” This decision was reached during a conference held in Riyadh, as reported by UNESCO on its official X account, previously known as Twitter. The Palestinian Authority embraced this decision with enthusiasm, while Israel expressed its discontent. The newly designated site, situated in Jericho within the Israeli-occupied West Bank, contains ancient ruins dating back to the ninth millennium BCE. Jericho itself holds the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities globally. The Palestinian Authority Foreign Affairs Ministry warmly welcomed the decision, describing it as a recognition of Jericho’s “cultural, economic, and political importance” and a testament to “10,000 years of human progress.” This statement was released on Sunday. PA Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Rula Ma’ayah, emphasized the decision’s significance, labeling the site as an indispensable and valuable part of the diverse Palestinian heritage. This statement was relayed to CNN on Sunday. Ma’ayah stated, “The site’s exceptional universal value qualifies it to be included among the World Heritage sites.” Conversely, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs disapproved of the decision, viewing it as “yet another instance of the Palestinians cynically using UNESCO and politicizing the organization.” Jericho is located in the Jordan Valley, nestled between the Jordan River to the east and Jerusalem to the west. In 2010, Jericho celebrated its status as the world’s oldest walled city, tracing its origins back to the modern Stone Age.